Item 5 Appendix 2 - HRA 20250010DET River Dee

This document contains a habitats regulations appraisal for a proposed river and floodplain restoration project on the Upper Dee River in the Cairngorms National Park, scheduled for agenda item 5 on 27 June 2025. The appraisal, reference number 2025/0010/DET, was completed on 27 May 2025 by Scott Shanks, Ecological Advice Officer (Planning), and checked on 4 June 2025 by Gavin Shaw, NatureScot Operations Officer (North). The project aims to restore natural river processes and improve habitat quality, covering approximately 10.5 hectares. The appraisal assesses the potential impacts on several protected sites, including the River Dee Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Ballochbuie SAC, Cairngorms SAC, and Cairngorms Special Protection Area (SPA). It concludes that with proposed mitigation measures, the project will not have an adverse effect on the integrity of these sites, particularly regarding Atlantic salmon and otter populations.